Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan on Friday (Feb 27) reached a boiling point with Islamabad carrying out airstrikes in parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia. The Afghan Taliban, meanwhile, announced that they have renewed attacks against Pakistani troops along their shared border. Are the two nations headed towards a war? Here's what we know.<h2>Pakistan-Afghanistan headed towards a war?</h2>Pakistan has already declared "open war" against Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities. On Friday (Feb 27) Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif, in a post on X, said that Islamabad's "patience has reached its limit."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-declares-open-war-against-afghanistan-taliban-says-patience-reached-its-limit-1772154130929">Pakistan declares 'open war' against Afghanistan Taliban, says 'patience reached its limit'</a>He noted that after NATO forces withdrew, Pakistan expected that there would be peace in Afghanistan and that the Taliban would prioritise the well-being of the Afghan people and regional stability. However, he claimed that instead, Afghanistan has become “a colony of India."He added that while Islamabad "made every effort to keep the situation normal through direct means and through friendly countries," but "attempts are being made to target Pakistan with aggression"."Now it is open war between us and you," he said, adding, "Now it will be ‘Dama Dam Mast Qalandar’.”Asif also slammed the Taliban government for "depriving" its citizens of "basic human rights," he noted that the government "snatched away the rights that Islam grants to women."<h2>Pakistan can ‘crush’ Afghanistan</h2>Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement on Friday, said that his country's armed forces can "crush" aggressors. "Our forces have the full capability to crush any aggressive ambitions," Sharif said, according to the Pakistani government's X page. "The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan armed forces," he said.<h2>Iran offers to help 'facilitate dialogue' between Afghanistan and Pakistan</h2>In light of the heightened tensions, Iran has offered to help "facilitate dialogue" to resolve the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan. "The Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to provide any assistance necessary to facilitate dialogue and to enhance understanding and cooperation between the two countries," said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a post on X.

Are Afghanistan and Pakistan on the brink of war? After rising border clashes and sharp warnings from Khawaja Asif, tensions have surged between Islamabad and the Taliban.Is this escalation temporary or something bigger? Scroll down to read more.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan on Friday (Feb 27) reached a boiling point with Islamabad carrying out airstrikes in parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia. The Afghan Taliban, meanwhile, announced that they have renewed attacks against Pakistani troops along their shared border. Are the two nations headed towards a war? Here's what we know. Pakistan-Afghanistan headed towards a war? Pakistan has already declared "open war" against Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities. On Friday (Feb 27) Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif, in a post on X, said that Islamabad's "patience has reached its limit." Also read | Pakistan declares 'open war' against Afghanistan Taliban, says 'patience reached its limit' He noted that after NATO forces withdrew, Pakistan expected that there would be peace in Afghanistan and that the Taliban would prioritise the well-being of the Afghan people and regional stability. However, he claimed that instead, Afghanistan has become “a colony of India." He added that while Islamabad "made every effort to keep the situation normal through direct means and through friendly countries," but "attempts are being made to target Pakistan with aggression". "Now it is open war between us and you," he said, adding, "Now it will be ‘Dama Dam Mast Qalandar’.” Asif also slammed the Taliban government for "depriving" its citizens of "basic human rights," he noted that the government "snatched away the rights that Islam grants to women." Pakistan can ‘crush’ Afghanistan Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement on Friday, said that his country's armed forces can "crush" aggressors. "Our forces have the full capability to crush any aggressive ambitions," Sharif said, according to the Pakistani government's X page. "The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan armed forces," he said. Iran offers to help 'facilitate dialogue' between Afghanistan and Pakistan In light of the heightened tensions, Iran has offered to help "facilitate dialogue" to resolve the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan. "The Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to provide any assistance necessary to facilitate dialogue and to enhance understanding and cooperation between the two countries," said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a post on X.

Are Afghanistan and Pakistan on the brink of war? After rising border clashes and sharp warnings from Khawaja Asif, tensions have surged between Islamabad and the Taliban.Is this escalation temporary or something bigger? Scroll down to read more.

Are Afghanistan and Pakistan headed for a war? Here's what we know

Pakistan on Friday (Feb 27) declared "open war" against Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities. This comes after a sharp escalation in cross-border fighting. "Our patience has reached its limit," said Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif in a post on X, as reports of blasts and gunfire emerged from Kabul and Kandahar.<h2>What did Khawaja Asif say?</h2>The Pakistani minister stated that after NATO forces withdrew, it was expected that there would be peace in Afghanistan and that the Taliban would prioritise the well-being of the Afghan people and regional stability. However, he claimed that instead, Afghanistan has become “a colony of India."&nbsp;Slamming the Taliban government for “depriving” its citizens of “basic human rights,” he noted that the government “snatched away the rights that Islam grants to women.”He added that while Islamabad “made every effort to keep the situation normal through direct means and through friendly countries,” but “attempts are being made to target Pakistan with aggression”.“Now it is open war between us and you,” he said, adding, "Now it will be ‘Dama Dam Mast Qalandar’.”<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260227/image-1772156665026.png"></figure><h2>Pakistan's 'befitting response'</h2>Earlier, Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the country's latest military action was a "befitting response" to what he called Afghan aggression. His remarks came hours after Taliban officials said their forces had attacked Pakistani troops along the frontier in retaliation for earlier air strikes. "Pakistan's armed forces have given a befitting response to the Afghan Taliban's open aggression," he said.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/afghanistan-launches-retaliatory-strikes-on-pakistan-says-taliban-military-1772124455978">Afghanistan launches retaliatory strikes on Pakistan, says Taliban military</a><h2>Tit-for-tat attacks along the frontier</h2>According to Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid X post, Afghan forces launched "wide-ranging retaliatory operations" against Pakistani troop positions "in the directions of Kandahar and Helmand as well.""In response to repeated violations by the Pakistani military, large-scale offensive operations were launched against Pakistani military bases and military installations," said the Taliban government spokesperson. Afghan officials claimed dozens of Pakistani soldiers were killed and several captured in the clashes, which they said were triggered by strikes that caused civilian casualties days earlier.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/elon-musk-blasts-new-york-times-as-utterly-disgusting-over-paedophilia-not-a-crime-article-jeffrey-epstein-files-1772095271310">Elon Musk blasts New York Times as ‘utterly disgusting’ over 'paedophilia not a crime' article</a>Pakistan's information ministry, meanwhile, said Afghan Taliban forces had "opened unprovoked fire on multiple locations" in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, prompting what it described as an "immediate and effective" counter-response. Islamabad had earlier vowed an "immediate" response after Afghan fighters reportedly attacked its forces on Thursday.&nbsp;<h2>Months of tensions boiling over</h2>The latest fighting follows months of mounting strain between the neighbours. Pakistani air strikes last week on Nangarhar and Paktika provinces reportedly killed at least 13 civilians, according to the UN mission in Afghanistan, though Islamabad said militants were targeted.Border crossings have largely remained shut since deadly clashes in October left more than 70 people dead on both sides. Efforts at mediation, including talks brokered by Qatar and Turkey, have so far failed to hold.Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of failing to curb militant groups operating from Afghan soil, an allegation the Taliban denies.

Is Pakistan now in “open war” with the Taliban? After fresh cross border clashes, Pak Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said patience had “reached its limit.” Blasts, retaliatory strikes and border seizures are being reported.

How did this escalate so fast? Scroll down to read

Pakistan on Friday (Feb 27) declared "open war" against Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities. This comes after a sharp escalation in cross-border fighting. "Our patience has reached its limit," said Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif in a post on X, as reports of blasts and gunfire emerged from Kabul and Kandahar. What did Khawaja Asif say? The Pakistani minister stated that after NATO forces withdrew, it was expected that there would be peace in Afghanistan and that the Taliban would prioritise the well-being of the Afghan people and regional stability. However, he claimed that instead, Afghanistan has become “a colony of India." Slamming the Taliban government for “depriving” its citizens of “basic human rights,” he noted that the government “snatched away the rights that Islam grants to women.” He added that while Islamabad “made every effort to keep the situation normal through direct means and through friendly countries,” but “attempts are being made to target Pakistan with aggression”. “Now it is open war between us and you,” he said, adding, "Now it will be ‘Dama Dam Mast Qalandar’.” Pakistan's 'befitting response' Earlier, Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the country's latest military action was a "befitting response" to what he called Afghan aggression. His remarks came hours after Taliban officials said their forces had attacked Pakistani troops along the frontier in retaliation for earlier air strikes. "Pakistan's armed forces have given a befitting response to the Afghan Taliban's open aggression," he said. Also read | Afghanistan launches retaliatory strikes on Pakistan, says Taliban military Tit-for-tat attacks along the frontier According to Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid X post, Afghan forces launched "wide-ranging retaliatory operations" against Pakistani troop positions "in the directions of Kandahar and Helmand as well." "In response to repeated violations by the Pakistani military, large-scale offensive operations were launched against Pakistani military bases and military installations," said the Taliban government spokesperson. Afghan officials claimed dozens of Pakistani soldiers were killed and several captured in the clashes, which they said were triggered by strikes that caused civilian casualties days earlier. Also read | Elon Musk blasts New York Times as ‘utterly disgusting’ over 'paedophilia not a crime' article Pakistan's information ministry, meanwhile, said Afghan Taliban forces had "opened unprovoked fire on multiple locations" in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, prompting what it described as an "immediate and effective" counter-response. Islamabad had earlier vowed an "immediate" response after Afghan fighters reportedly attacked its forces on Thursday. Months of tensions boiling over The latest fighting follows months of mounting strain between the neighbours. Pakistani air strikes last week on Nangarhar and Paktika provinces reportedly killed at least 13 civilians, according to the UN mission in Afghanistan, though Islamabad said militants were targeted. Border crossings have largely remained shut since deadly clashes in October left more than 70 people dead on both sides. Efforts at mediation, including talks brokered by Qatar and Turkey, have so far failed to hold. Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of failing to curb militant groups operating from Afghan soil, an allegation the Taliban denies.

Is Pakistan now in “open war” with the Taliban? After fresh cross-border clashes, Pak Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said patience had “reached its limit.” Blasts, retaliatory strikes and border seizures are being reported.How did this escalate so fast? Scroll down to read

'Dama Dam Mast Qalandar': Pakistan declares 'open war' against Afghanistan, says 'patience has reached its limit'

Two Pakistani diplomats have gone missing in Afghanistan&#39;s eastern Jalalabad city since Friday (June 16), Islamabad said today (June 18).

The two missing officials -- they work in Pakistan&#39;s consulate in Afghanistan -- went missing while travelling back to their home country by road, Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office said.

&quot;The Afghan authorities have informed that all efforts were in hand to probe the incident and three distinct investigating groups have been constituted to ensure safe recovery of the officials,&quot; Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said.

Pakistan said Kabul has formed three probe teams to trace them.

Pakistan did not want to speculate whether the diplomats had been kidnapped.

Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan are at a low point, with both countries accusing each other of doing little to curb militants carrying out extremist attacks across the border.

Afghanistan say Islamabad has done little to rein in the Afghan Taliban and their leaders residing in Pakistan.

Pakistan also blame Afghanistan for doing little to crack down Pakistani Taliban militants who cross the border and inflict deadly attacks in their country.

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The two diplomats have been untraceable ever since they hit the road to travel back to Pakistan

Two Pakistani diplomats have gone missing in Afghanistan's eastern Jalalabad city since Friday (June 16), Islamabad said today (June 18). The two missing officials -- they work in Pakistan's consulate in Afghanistan -- went missing while travelling back to their home country by road, Pakistan's Foreign Office said. "The Afghan authorities have informed that all efforts were in hand to probe the incident and three distinct investigating groups have been constituted to ensure safe recovery of the officials," Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said. Pakistan said Kabul has formed three probe teams to trace them. Pakistan did not want to speculate whether the diplomats had been kidnapped. Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan are at a low point, with both countries accusing each other of doing little to curb militants carrying out extremist attacks across the border. Afghanistan say Islamabad has done little to rein in the Afghan Taliban and their leaders residing in Pakistan. Pakistan also blame Afghanistan for doing little to crack down Pakistani Taliban militants who cross the border and inflict deadly attacks in their country.

Two Pakistani diplomats missing in Afghanistan since Friday

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Are Afghanistan and Pakistan headed for a war? Here's what we know

Pakistan declares 'open war' against Afghan Taliban, says 'patience' over

Two Pakistani diplomats missing in Afghanistan since Friday